Good news on the injury front as forward Marco Sturm returned to the ice and coach Kevin Dineen upgraded him from doubtful to questionable, but I still think Krys Barch will get his spot for at least the first game. Dineen is still mum on his starting goalie but I’m feeling Jose Theodore on a short leash. Also, the invisible man Matt Bradley has emerged from his concussion-induced absence and is skating again. Dineen said there’s no time frame on his return but it’s not imminent. The players seem antsy and ready to start hitting someone in a different-colored jersey. Defenseman Jason Garrison took a shot on the beak and needed stitches. This team doesn’t seem satisified with just making the playoffs. Ask Stephen Weiss or Mikael Samuelsson that question and stand back.

They’re all pretty thankful that there are no more shootouts or 4-on-4 overtimes as the Panthers were on the bottom of the league in those categories while the Devils were at the top. Edge: Panthers.

Good job Yacky Most simple minded Rah Rahs have no idea what you understand..Revelation can be confusing to most fans who talk the talk but dont go to games.and support the team other than with their mouths.

Yacky, instead of posting about Yormark why don’t you contribute something positive! We’re in the damn playoffs man, who cares about M.Y.
The boys should be rejunivated from a week off. Look at all the upsets so far.
We’re gonna surprise a lot of people when we take it to the Devils. My screen name says it all “I Remember ‘96″, do you? There’s no fever yet, but if we start winning & keep winning & move to the next round, the temp is gonna rise & I for one want to feel that buzz we had so many years ago.
It’s great that we have a lot of vets especially guys who’ve won a few cups.
I’m hoping we can find that confident groove we had at the beginning of the year. The playoffs are so exciting & so much fun when the team is firing on all cylinders and winning. A big factor is having home ice. The crowd needs to be loud and pumped which I’m sure it will be, KD has the last change and matching lines is going to be huge. We need to shut down Kovi who has killed us over the years. We can beat Marty by pouncing on rebounds, screening him and making him run around till he poops out. He’s almost 40 now not 25 so endurance is going to be a factor.

I’m curious who’s gonna step up & be the leader here. Bergy had a great playoff last year and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pop some key goals in. Sami has been steady the last couple of months & I see him coming up big too. The Weiss line MUST return to first 25 game form. We need at least a goal a game from them and I’m praying that Versteeg doesn’t play like he has since he came back from injury. Weiss is in his first playoff so I’m expecting him to be well, how do I put this?, Steve Weiss on streriods..LOL
Gari could be a big factor if he gets his shot going especially on the PP.
4 or 5 timely goals from him could be the shot in the arm (no pun intended) we need to change momentum in a close game.
Soupy’s been there before so he’s gonna be the guy I look at to lead both the offense & defense. Whoever it is Theo or Clemmer they’re the key to us moving to the next round. JohnnyVB led us in ‘96 and his amazing saves against some of the greatest payers of that era inspired the rest of the team and they fed off his confidence. A HOT GOALIE changes everything and I want it to be one of ours. I would like to see Clemmer get his shot but I have a feeling it’s gonna be Theo so he knows he’s gonna be under the microscope.

I could analyze every player & coach but I’ll just end with this………….

Anything can happen in the playoffs. I remember ‘96 when a 3rd year team of misfits and castoffs went all the way to finals when nobody gave us a chance in hell. That team was fun to watch & remember, they beat the Ray Bourque Bruins, the Eric Lindros Flyers & The Mario, Jagr Pens. They were in every game vs Colo but ran into a hot Patrick Roy & a team loaded with Sakec Forsberg Foote etc….It was a great run for a team that was only 3 yrs old.
This year’s team is really one year old & I am excited not only for this year but the years ahead so let’s be positive on this blog and stop with negative BS. Stick to hockey and let’s forget about Yormark, Club Red, stupid promotions & all the dumb fodder we posted all year.

Harvey, who do you think is gonna step up & be the Hero/Leader for us?

Good Post “Remember 96″……That is what its all about……Counting the hours till tonight..Need to play like the Blueshirts did last night. Heart, Drive and Determination. Did you all see Tortarella call that key timeout and drop the hammer on his team. See how they responded and stomped the Senators…..Great game…..Loved seeing Ovechicakes shot-less lastnight……….. Bruins took it to him.

I am so sick and tired of the doubters. Do us all a favor and move on or move out. We are dedicated fans. I read all of the blogs everyday, as I have for more years than I care to remember. A true fan sticks with their team through good and bad times (and management, coaches, GM’s, CEO’s). Are you a Panthers Fan? If so ~~~ LETS GO CATS!!! if not ~~~ buh bye now.

YES! great post….the true fans send in their money unquestioned for 12 years while pt barnum laughs at you ………
yamaka night…….pleeeeeez

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About the author

HARVEY FIALKOV, a tennis-playing sportswriter who grew up in Long Island following the dynastic Islanders, is the new Panthers beat writer for the Sun Sentinel and looking forward to writing about the best professional sports team in Broward County.